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lmartzbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So different from The Hate U Give but good just the same. A coming of age story. A story of redemption. A story of second chances. A story about passion and drive and dreams.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Sexism, Racism, Death of parent, Police brutality, Cursing, and Addiction
gem114's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Angie Thomas invited us back to Garden Heights, and how could we say no?
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
First, I'll admit I didn't like On the Come Up as much as I liked THUG, but it's still a great read that I'd readily recommend. I think part of what made it hard for me to connect with is that I simply don't share Bri's passion for rap. I think if you're a rap fan, or even just a music buff in general, this book would be right up your alley.
Bri is a 16-year-old growing up in Garden Heights and aspiring to even greater heights for her music career. Daughter of a local rap legend who was murdered in his prime, Bri has music in her blood. She wants to pursue her passion, but her mother wants her to focus on her academics. Mom (aka Jay) is scared of Bri following in her father's footsteps, but Bri thinks the sooner she gets her career going, the sooner she can help her struggling family financially. The story takes place a few years after THUG, but Angie Thomas didn't leave issues of racial justice in the past. Bri and her friends are racially profiled and mistreated by security guards at their majority-white high school. Bri is torn between fighting stereotypes and playing into stereotypes at home, at school, and in the music world.
Although this book wasn't a full 5 stars for me, it's one I DEFINITELY plan to have in my classroom for students to borrow when we return to in-person school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Racism
Minor: Addiction and Racial slurs
noellerose's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Angie Thomas truly has a way with words and characters. Putting down her books is just not an option, you have to finish it in one go. I put off reading this because the plot didn't really interest me, but I decided after reading Concrete Rose that I would read OTCU as well. I loved reading Bri's verses and her character development was great. She was incredibly stubborn, which kind of irritated me, because I just wanted to shake her and say "listen to the people around you! they care about you!!" but I see why her stubbornness is so important to the story. Overall great read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
chelseasbookshelf2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great book!! This had some strong themes in this, but all that need to be talked about more. This was a YA book, but certainly didn't feel YA most of the time. If you don't normally read YA I would still encourage you to check this book out!!
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
I loved getting to know each and every one of the characters in this book. I especially loved Sonny, Malik and Curtis! I am a horrible rapper, so I struggled with how some of the raps should sound! I wish there were a soundtrack to go with these to hear the beat! This is my first book by Angie Thomas, and I cannot wait to read her other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
dandelion27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gun violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Homophobia
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